This is a space that had been closed to the public for around 1,000 years, since it was enclosed by St Mary's Abbey at the start of the last millennium.
Now the gardens' first art installation, called Foundation Myths, is ready to be experienced by the public.
It will see bright yellow ceramic tree trunks springing up out of the lawn area as a response to the area's former use as an orchard.
I've managed to get a sneak preview of the gardens before the public are let in:
Traffic and travel: A169 near Malton 'closed for several hours' after accident
Anglo-Saxon gold shilling is 'one-in-a-million' find
Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York
An Anglo-Saxon coin unearthed during an archaeological dig on the site of the Battle of Fulford at Germany Beck is a "one-in-a-million" find, according to the Yorkshire Museum.
The coin, a rare golden Anglo-Saxon coin now known as the Fulford Shilling, is almost 1,500 years old, according to the museum.
It's the first coin known to have been made in York, and it's thought to be worth thousands of pounds.
Andy Woods, head of coins and medals at the Yorkshire Museum, has told BBC Radio York it's "incredibly rare":
Ian Greig, volunteer amateur archaeologist and councillor, originally found the coin and he says he wants it to stay in Yorkshire.
"We want it to go on permanent display. We've had an offer from a private collector, but we don't want to sell it to a private collector for it to disappear out of sight again," he says.
"We want it to stay in the public eye now we've brought it back to life."
One Day Cup: Yorkshire welcome back their England stars
Sarah said she and her two young children were surrounded by drunk, rowdy passengers and that she was afraid for their safety.
I spoke to retired airline pilot George Marray, from York, about his experiences of raucous passenger behaviour and asked him whether alcohol should be banned at airports in general:
Welcome to YorkshireCopyright: Welcome to Yorkshire
The bid includes an "exciting" race programme, including starts in North, South, East and West Yorkshire, according to Welcome to Yorkshire.
The event takes place over eight days and includes individual and team time trials as well as full road races for under-18, under-23 and elite riders.
Welcome To Yorkshire boss Sir Gary Verity says: "We are sure the world’s best riders will find our beautiful roads both challenging and exhilarating in equal measure."
Meanwhile, fellow pupil Zsofia Hesketh has plans to go to Cambridge University - and she let me know live on BBC Radio York how she'd done:
Should we call time on airport boozing?
Georgey Spanswick
Presenter, BBC Radio York
This morning I've been looking at the issue of drinking on planes after Sarah Gregory from Bedale got in touch with BBC Radio York.
Earlier this month, she flew with her two children to Ibiza from Leeds-Bradford Airport with Ryanair and she says the journey was the worst she's known in 30 years of flying.
A significant number of the other passengers on-board were drunk and out of control, according to Sarah, who told me what her family had to endure on the flight:
Responding to Sarah's story, Ryanair has issued a statement:
Quote Message: A number of individuals on this flight from Leeds to Ibiza caused a minor disturbance in-flight and, in line with procedures, were warned to behave for the remainder of the flight. We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time" from Ryanair statement
A number of individuals on this flight from Leeds to Ibiza caused a minor disturbance in-flight and, in line with procedures, were warned to behave for the remainder of the flight. We will not tolerate unruly or disruptive behaviour at any time"
Traffic and travel: Road delays in Scarborough
BBC Travel
Drivers are being warned of queuing traffic and heavier than usual traffic on A165 Filey Road northbound in Scarborough between College Lane junction and the A64 Westborough junction.
Jack Laugher: Making Yorkshire proud
Jules Bellerby
Presenter, BBC Radio York
Ripon's Jack Laugher is having to get used to being a household name after his heroics in the diving at the Rio Olympics.
North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police
A 59-year-old man who'd just used a machine in Goodramgate was left unharmed but "very shaken up" after being robbed by two men, both with foreign accents and one with a knife, at about 18:10 on Wednesday 10 August.
The first suspect is described as 5ft 11ins tall, of stocky but toned build and aged between 26 to 30 years old. He was unshaven and had black hair, brown eyes and olive skin and was wearing a tight gym top, black jogging trousers and trainers.
The second suspect who was holding the knife is described as similar in height, with an olive complexion, of smaller build to the first man, but still toned. He was aged between 24 to 26 and dressed in a similar way to the first suspect.
Your sport headlines this morning
BBC Sport
BBCCopyright: BBC
The top sport stories from our York newsroom so far today include:
Live Reporting
Jim Addyman
All times stated are UK
Get involved
BBCCopyright: BBC View more on twitterView more on twitter ReutersCopyright: Reuters BBCCopyright: BBC View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter PACopyright: PA Welcome to YorkshireCopyright: Welcome to Yorkshire North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police BBCCopyright: BBC - Yorkshire are boosted by the availability of England stars Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance for today's One-Day Cup quarter-final away to Kent
- After York City's heavy defeat at Gateshead, York City captain Simon Heslop (pictured) has questioned the team spirit
- The Yorkshire Oaks is the feature race on day two of the Ebor Festival at York's Knavesmire, with 12 horses due to go to post
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Latest PostFive things we've learnt about North Yorkshire today
Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York
That's all for today - thanks for being with us. Join us once again from 07:00 on Friday morning.
In the meantime, here are five things we've learnt about North Yorkshire today...
1. Yorkshire's love affair with cycling could continue as it's announced that the World Road Race Championships could be coming to the county in 2019.
2. City of York Council is considering a ban on street advertising boards - aka "A-boards".
3. An Anglo-Saxon coin unearthed during an archaeological dig on the site of the Battle of Fulford at Germany Beck is a "one-in-a-million" find
4. Not everyone is happy for alcohol to be served at airports and on board planes - Bedale mum Sarah Gregory says a recent trip to Ibiza was the worst she'd experienced in 30 years of flying.
5. York City could be in line for another long, difficult season if comments by club captain, Simon Heslop, are anything to go by.
I'll leave you with this great pic of Haxby sent in by BBC Weather Watcher Garry Hornby...
Watch: Is it a garden or is it art?
Gareth Barlow
Journalist, BBC Radio York
Part of York Art Gallery's recent £8m re-development was the creation of two acres of new public gardens behind the gallery.
This is a space that had been closed to the public for around 1,000 years, since it was enclosed by St Mary's Abbey at the start of the last millennium.
Now the gardens' first art installation, called Foundation Myths, is ready to be experienced by the public.
It will see bright yellow ceramic tree trunks springing up out of the lawn area as a response to the area's former use as an orchard.
I've managed to get a sneak preview of the gardens before the public are let in:
Traffic and travel: A169 near Malton 'closed for several hours' after accident
BBC Travel
The A169 near Malton will be closed for several hours following a serious collision, police say.
Emergency services were called to the scene at Low Marishes, Malton, at about 11:30 this morning after a collision involving two cars.
The road's closed between High Marishes and the A64.
Diversions are in place and drivers are being urged to avoid the area.
Double trouble: Ripon's Jack Laugher shows off Rio medals
BBC Look North's Tanya Arnold is out in Rio catching up with Yorkshire's Olympians.
She's been talking to Ripon's own Jack Laugher who's been proudly showing off both his freshly-minted medals.
Anglo-Saxon gold shilling is 'one-in-a-million' find
Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York
An Anglo-Saxon coin unearthed during an archaeological dig on the site of the Battle of Fulford at Germany Beck is a "one-in-a-million" find, according to the Yorkshire Museum.
The coin, a rare golden Anglo-Saxon coin now known as the Fulford Shilling, is almost 1,500 years old, according to the museum.
It's the first coin known to have been made in York, and it's thought to be worth thousands of pounds.
Andy Woods, head of coins and medals at the Yorkshire Museum, has told BBC Radio York it's "incredibly rare":
Ian Greig, volunteer amateur archaeologist and councillor, originally found the coin and he says he wants it to stay in Yorkshire.
"We want it to go on permanent display. We've had an offer from a private collector, but we don't want to sell it to a private collector for it to disappear out of sight again," he says.
"We want it to stay in the public eye now we've brought it back to life."
One Day Cup: Yorkshire welcome back their England stars
BBC Sport
Yorkshire take on Kent at the Spitfire Ground, Canterbury in this afternoon's One-Day Cup quarter-final.
The Tykes are boosted by the availability of England stars Joe Root (pictured), Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance.
The first ball is due to be bowled at 14:00 and you can keep up with all the action right here.
North Yorkshire's weather: A sunny afternoon
It'll be a pleasant afternoon with plenty of sunshine.
Highs of about 24C (75F), but a little fresher on the east coast.
There'll be a gentle to moderate south-easterly breeze.
Boozeless airports: A sobering prospect?
Georgey Spanswick
Presenter, BBC Radio York
Earlier, I spoke to mum-of-two Sarah Gregory from Bedale about a recent nightmare flight from Leeds to Ibiza.
Sarah said she and her two young children were surrounded by drunk, rowdy passengers and that she was afraid for their safety.
I spoke to retired airline pilot George Marray, from York, about his experiences of raucous passenger behaviour and asked him whether alcohol should be banned at airports in general:
Police warning over accident near Malton
Ebor Festival Ladies day: Hot to trot at York's Knavesmire?
Gareth Barlow
Journalist, BBC Radio York
It's Ladies Day day at the Ebor Festival at York's Knavesmire racecourse.
It's a day when the focus is just as much on the fashion as it is on the horses.
I've been speaking to Caroline Higginbottom, York-based fashion guru and one of the bloggers behind the Fashion City York page.
I asked for her tips on what the stylish lady at the races will be wearing today:
Traffic and travel: Ebor Festival advice
BBC Travel
Today is the second day of the Ebor Festival race meeting at the Knavesmire in York and thousands of racegoers are expected.
This is expected to have a knock-on effect on traffic in York, especially in the Bishopthorpe, Dringhouses and South bank areas as well as the A64.
The first race is at 13:55 and the final race gets under orders at 16:55.
Keep up to date with all the news on the roads with the BBC Travel page.
Listen: Minstermen captain questions team spirit
BBC Sport
York City captain, Simon Heslop has questioned the team spirit ahead of Saturday's game at Forest Green.
The Minstermen collapsed in the second half of Tuesday's away fixture at Gateshead, shipping five goals and ending the game with a 6-1 defeat.
The result ended City's unbeaten start to their first season back in the National League.
He says if they're to bounce back from their heavy defeat at Gateshead in midweek, the players need to work together:
World cycling championship bid: Race will be 'challenging and exhilarating'
More on the news that tourist organisation Welcome to Yorkshire has announced this morning it's to bid to host the cycling World Road Championships in 2019.
The bid includes an "exciting" race programme, including starts in North, South, East and West Yorkshire, according to Welcome to Yorkshire.
The event takes place over eight days and includes individual and team time trials as well as full road races for under-18, under-23 and elite riders.
Welcome To Yorkshire boss Sir Gary Verity says: "We are sure the world’s best riders will find our beautiful roads both challenging and exhilarating in equal measure."
A-Level results: Dreaming spires for Zsofia?
Georgey Spanswick
Presenter, BBC Radio York
It's a big day for North Yorkshire's A-Level students as today's the day they hear their results and find out how it affects their career choices.
Earlier, I spoke to former Harrogate Grammar School pupil Jasmine Cannon who got three grade A's, meaning she's heading off to Newcastle University to study medicine.
Meanwhile, fellow pupil Zsofia Hesketh has plans to go to Cambridge University - and she let me know live on BBC Radio York how she'd done:
Should we call time on airport boozing?
Georgey Spanswick
Presenter, BBC Radio York
This morning I've been looking at the issue of drinking on planes after Sarah Gregory from Bedale got in touch with BBC Radio York.
Earlier this month, she flew with her two children to Ibiza from Leeds-Bradford Airport with Ryanair and she says the journey was the worst she's known in 30 years of flying.
A significant number of the other passengers on-board were drunk and out of control, according to Sarah, who told me what her family had to endure on the flight:
Responding to Sarah's story, Ryanair has issued a statement:
Traffic and travel: Road delays in Scarborough
BBC Travel
Drivers are being warned of queuing traffic and heavier than usual traffic on A165 Filey Road northbound in Scarborough between College Lane junction and the A64 Westborough junction.
Jack Laugher: Making Yorkshire proud
Jules Bellerby
Presenter, BBC Radio York
Ripon's Jack Laugher is having to get used to being a household name after his heroics in the diving at the Rio Olympics.
The 21-year-old won a gold in the Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard and a silver in the individual competition.
I managed to grab a few minutes with Jack and I asked him if he was aware of the reaction to his success back in the UK:
E-fit image of suspect issued in search for knifepoint robbers
Police investigating a knifepoint robbery in York have issued an e-fit image of one of the suspects.
A 59-year-old man who'd just used a machine in Goodramgate was left unharmed but "very shaken up" after being robbed by two men, both with foreign accents and one with a knife, at about 18:10 on Wednesday 10 August.
The first suspect is described as 5ft 11ins tall, of stocky but toned build and aged between 26 to 30 years old. He was unshaven and had black hair, brown eyes and olive skin and was wearing a tight gym top, black jogging trousers and trainers.
The second suspect who was holding the knife is described as similar in height, with an olive complexion, of smaller build to the first man, but still toned. He was aged between 24 to 26 and dressed in a similar way to the first suspect.
Your sport headlines this morning
BBC Sport
The top sport stories from our York newsroom so far today include:
Postponed wins Juddmonte International for Roger Varian
Trainer Roger Varian has hailed stable star Postponed after a sixth straight win - in the Juddmonte International at York.
The 15-8 favourite, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, beat Highland Reel by a length and a quarter, with Mutakayyef third.
"He's an incredible horse. The team at home have done a fantastic job. I can't tell you how much satisfaction I feel," said Newmarket trainer Varian.
His stable has been hit by a virus and Postponed was forced to miss the King George at Ascot last month.